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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Review: Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Synopsis: Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy.

With
the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate
for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally
in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in
his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay
in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined
to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught
between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an
underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does
something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way
has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents
never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion
to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to
be true will be irrevocably shattered.My Review:I really haven't been
reading this series for all that long, but for some reason I almost feel
like I have grown with these characters. Okay, maybe not completely,
but I have definitely seen them grow throughout the trilogy, and could
not help myself from becoming attached to them. I have witnessed Rhine
grow more sure of herself, as well as make powerful realizations. I have
seen Cecily prove that she is not a fragile little girl like everyone
thought. I watched Linden be able to stand up against his father. The
characters in Wither, Fever and Sever really stuck with me, and dragged
me into their world to the point where I cannot forget it, and that is
super cool.

All in all, I was very pleased with Sever. I thought
that it was a perfect conclusion to a brilliant series. I completely
devoured it. Last thing I knew I came home from school, telling myself
I'd read a couple chapters before studying, and now it is the night, and
I am still in that after-novel daze, like I just woke up from a dream
that I didn't want to end, and reality hardly seems real.

You may
have heard readers claim that they are in a state of emotional turmoil
after completing this novel. (Yeah, they were right.) You might not go
spiraling into a dark depression, but I would highly recommend some
nearby tissues. Maybe some dark chocolates? Funny pictures of cats?

Emotional
anguish aside, I also feel the need to point out that the last chapter
(as well as the rest of the book, I just mean the last chapter
especially) was absolutely beautiful. Stunning. The ideas that were
discussed involved a great theme, topics that we can all live by today -
even if the virus is not present in our own world. I know I mentioned
my love for the characters before, and their growth alone makes them
seem like excellent role models. What they learn is basis for what is
important for all of us to learn - to make us better people and allow to
actually live life.

Given that this is the third book of a
trilogy, I do not want to give away any of the plot, so I am just going
to avoid that route altogether.

I have to say, I completely loved
the series while it lasted, and I am completely content with the
ending. (Except for one detail. Of course, it works with the story, and
makes it even more hauntingly beautiful, but it makes me sad.)